Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-08
Telegrams to The Star.
THE FISHERIES NEGOTIATIONS.
Canada Wants a Full Settlement.
THE GLADSTONE CORRESPONDENCE.
The ex.Premier's Letter Of Declination
BUSINESS FAILURES IN ILLINOIS.
THE GLADSTONE CORRESpOND-
ENCE.
OF the American letter Of
Invitation and the Extremely Re.

SubstanCe Of the American Letter Of
Invitation and the Extremely Re.
ply.
LONDON, Sept. s.-The letter containing the in.
vitat,on TO Mr.. Gladstone to attend the centennial
celebration OF the adoption of the American Con-
Stitut!on at Philadelphia was dated June % and
was signed by MeSSrS. kaSson. Little Carson and
Cochrane. for the committee. Mr.. Gladstone was
invited as the guest or the committee, and he was
informed by the gentlemen who conveyed TO him
the Invitation that il the only one sent 10 any
person not an American citizen an accred-
lted diplomat, the exception In his case being In
tended as an express recognition OF the historical
ties which bound Great Britain and America be-
lore the Declaration OF Independence. lie was also
assured that he would be allowed To make what
ever arrangements he pleased, and would be en-
tertained In America as no man has been since
the visit OF General Lafayette.
Mr. Gladstone on july 20 made reply to The let
ter and assured the committee OF the great honor
he felt In receiving an invitation TO the celebra-
tion OF the centenary OF the American Constitu-
ttOn. His letter continues: .srhe attractions OF
the Invitation are enhanced TO me by the circum-
stance tnat have always regarded that Constitu-
tion as the most remarkable work known to the
modern times 10 have been produced by human in
tellect at single stroke, to speak, in its appli-
cation to political Affairs. The Invitation "a ac
cOmpanied by every accessory that even American
hospitality could devise. Had / real option
the limitation OF my strength and time and the
1nceSSant pressure OF engagements make me too
wen aware that have none. SO far as can see
the Whole small residue OF activity at my CON-
mand will be dedicated TO the great work al home
l regard the Irish question the most urgent and
most full Of promise OF beneficial results to my
country that l have ever been engaged In.
ought perhaps to add that, viewing the jealouses
prevalent In England IL is doubtful whether they
might not be stimulated were to accept the dis
tlnctlon You offer me, which not less sig
nal than undeserved. The first OF these
reasons. however. compels me TO decline
received l shall watch with profound ia-
tereSt the proceedings OF your celebration, when
you will look back upon a century or national ad-
vanceinen that is without parallel In history, and
look forward 10 Its probable continuance upon a
still larger scale That you and your children
may 0e enabled by the help or the Almighty to
worthily meet the accumulation of high duties
and responsibilities prOportioned to ever-growing
power Will be, am confident, the prayer OF your
kinslnen here, who hope, nay, believe that the
moral relations between several portions OF one
race are wisely destined TO acquire increasing har
mony and clOSenesS. Your obliged and faithful
servant, W. T. GLADSTONE"